This comprehensive essay explores the creation, symbolism, and cultural legacy of American Gothic (1930) by Grant Wood, one of America's most iconic paintings. It examines how Wood’s European artistic influences, his Midwestern upbringing, and the turbulent context of the Great Depression shaped the painting’s ambiguous tone. The essay delves into visual analysis, societal interpretations over decades, and the painting’s profound impact on American identity and pop culture. From parodies to political cartoons, American Gothic evolved from a regional tribute to a national mirror reflecting America's enduring tensions between tradition and change.